3 March 1944

Dear Family-

            I had a little party in my pup tent last night.  Someone dug up a bottle of Park and Tilford bourbon - cost $20, but was worth it.  Had “cokes” for supper tonight - the first since we’ve been over.  Our allotment is now two per week.  Have hot water for shaving each morning.  Use a #10 tin can half filled with sand, pour in some gasoline, and light.  Had a two-hour “bull session” tonight about religion.  Decided nothing, but had some hot arguments.

                                                                                                                       

 

4 March 1944

Dear Family-                                                                                                    NORTH AFRICA

            It is warmer today but raining and blowing outside.  I received a V Mail letter from Bill Barr today.  I am writing by electric light.  You see, we have a jeep headlight over our dining table in the staff officer’s mess tent, attached to a jeep battery.  Works fine.  Also have a small stove in the tent to warm it a bit.  When I first landed in Africa I had a feeling that everything was unsanitary - the ground, the vegetation, the buildings, the very odor.  This feeling doesn’t stay long.  You feel right at home after a while and have to be reminded that ­­this is Africa.  These letters of mine set some kind of a record, don’t they?

 

                                                                                                           

7 March 1944

Dear Family-

            I have been out on a problem for several days.  Everything came off in good shape.  The men, as usual, did an excellent job.  I received Mom’s letter today enclosing Benjie Alnutt’s letter.  He’s in China.  Our CO left today and a new CO took over.  This means many readjustments.  Sorry to see the “old man” go - he was as strict and exacting as they come, but a wonderful commander.  He told me as he left that he had recommended me for promotion but division is holding it up – over strength in field grade officers somewhere.

                                                                                                                       

 

9 March 1944

Dear Family-

            Has gotten warmer but is still cold at night.  Everything is still going OK.  The new commanding officer seems fine, but it takes time to get used to a new commander.  Am sending to the bank each month $170 00.  Still can’t spend the remainder and recently sent in a check for $200.  Am getting mother’s letters regularly but can’t understand why you don’t get mine - I write every second day.  Maybe by now they are coming in.  Dad said once I could expect a letter a week from you all - that’s the last and only letter I’ve had from him. Too busy.

 

                                                                                                                       

13 March 1944

Dear Family-

            Again plans are changed and we’re on the move - thus completing another phase of training.  Everyone over here wears GI equipment and clothing.  All the Arabs wear barracks bags made into trousers, thus (picture of man) or some other olive drab clothing. Even the French troops are clothed and armed with US equipment.  You can’t tell the French troops from American troops by appearance.

                                                                                   

 

14 March 1944

Dear Family-

            I completed a job today that I’ve been working on for a week - an order for a problem to be conducted soon.  Contained about sixteen pages and took a lot of work.  The Mediterranean is really blue and while usually calm, during a storm it gets quite rough.  Following a period of rain and hail the sun came out today and everything is bright again.  The vineyard owners are thankful for the rain.  Took my Arabic interpreter out today and talked to some of the native shepherds.  I learned some interesting things.

                                                                                                           

 

15 March 1944

Dear Family-

            Things change rapidly over here.  We’re back in garrison for a short time.  Had the first beer I’ve seen since arriving in Africa last night.  It was American-made in Oran.  We are having perfect weather these days.  The hills are green, the fields a mass of orange, yellow, purple wild flowers, and the fruit trees in bloom.  Saw Betty Grable in “Coney Island” tonight.  Our theatre is an open field with the stars overhead.  We are now using nets at night because of the danger of malaria.  Write.

                                                                                   

17 Mar 1944

Dear Family-                                                                                                    NORTH AFRICA

            Everything is very quiet and we are following a regular schedule.  We may be getting ready to go someplace.  Outfit is in top shape and really profited by period of training just completed.  Just about had everything now.  Weather during the day is like summer.  The nights are still chilly.  Don’t worry everything is under control.

                                                                                                                       

 

17 March 1944

Dear Family-                                                                                                    NORTH AFRICA

            Just a note to let you know everything is OK.  I visited the former CO in the hospital today.  Spent the day [passage censored] a place.  There is a fine Officers Club there.  Had some chicken salad sandwiches and three helpings of real American ice cream - the first since leaving the states.

            [Paragraph censored]

                                                                                               

 

18 March 1944

Dear Family-                                                                                                    NORTH AFRICA

            Received mother’s first V Mailed letter dated 1 March today.  It was not photographed, but was sent as regular mail because the inside addresses were not filled in (see above).  I am sending you today, a letter by regular mail, which will tell in more detail some of my experiences.  Don’t worry about a delay in mail service.  I heard from grandmother.  Also from the [Washington] County letter league.  Don’t need anything.  Write.

                                                                                               

 

19 Mar 1944                                                                                                    SUNDAY

Dear Family-                                                                                                    NORTH AFRICA

            Today for the first time since we left the desert, the whole outfit took a holiday.  No passes were granted, but the men played baseball and volleyball, washed clothes, baked and took it easy - an unheard of thing.  Three thousand men gathered together on a green hillside and the new commanding officer (CO) introduced himself.  Chimes in the nearby village announced services.  It was unbelievably hot today - like June at home.  But the sun is now down and (?) will be (?)

 

20 Mar 1944

Dear Family-                                                                                                    NORTH AFRICA

            With not much to do at present we’re really taking it easy.  Mother’s letter of 1 March arrived today and she spoke of a snowstorm.  In contrast, we’re enjoying hot weather.  I sat in the sun today for several hours.  Everyone has a severe case of “spring fever.”  I bought another watch thru the PX.  Someday I will send my other one home.  Audrey, send me Auffy’s address.  I lost it in the shuffle.  Also [lost] is Ralph & Shaffer’s I suppose.  WRITE WHEN YOU CAN.                                                                                                                     

                                   

29 Mar 1944                                                                                                    AT THE FRONT

Dear Family-                                                                                                    ITALY

            I am now on the line again after my little vacation with the Air Force.  I stayed overnight in Naples on the way back.  Army maintains a hotel for officers passing thru the city with a little bar and a fine mess.  Feels good to go to a barber shop and order a shave, shampoo, shoe shine.  The Red Cross has an Officers Club with a Snack Bar and reading room.  There is also a theatre for service men.  Some beautiful buildings there- post office, King’s Palace, apartments. I enjoyed the wedding details.                       

                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

30 March 1944

Dear Family-                                                                                                    ITALY

            Just a note I’m writing in the dark to let you know everything is OK.  We have had a few air raids so far, but no action.  Have sent observers forward to frontlines but I was not one of the lucky ones.  We’re living in a dead crater of a volcano used by Germans.  What is Bob Hahn’s APO number?  People here have been hard hit by the war. Write when you can.

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                       

31 March 1944

Dear Family-                                                                                                    ITALY

            How goes everything back home?  We haven’t received any mail for a long time now.  There is always a delay when we make a move.  Our trip here was really wonderful.  The Navy really has a tough life - excellent meals, beds with soft mattresses, hot showers, and ice cream all the time.  When is Sis going to be married?  Easter Greetings.  I suppose that will be late before you receive this.  Write when you can.  Say hello to everyone.

                                                                                                                        Love to all,

                                                                                                                        Henry